Commercial auto liability coverage is a mandatory coverage meant to protect the general public from vehicles that are being operated during business use.
This coverage will cover any person or their property in the event that they are injured or damaged by your vehicle while it is being operated for business purposes.
Who Needs Commercial Auto Liability & Why?
Anyone operating a commercial vehicle for business purposes will need a commercial auto policy with primary liability included in their coverages. If you are going to be operating your vehicle for business purposes you need to make sure you are covered with a commercial policy. Most personal insurance polices will not cover you if you use your vehicle for business purposes.
Table of Contents
What Commercial Auto Liability Covers
Primary Liability or commercial auto liability coverage will cover any bodily injury or property damage done to others, caused by you or an employee operating a vehicle for business purposes. Its important to note this only covers other peoples bodily injury and property damage. To protect your own vehicle you need make sure you have physical damage insurance in place.
What It Doesn't Cover
Primary Liability will not cover your vehicle for any damages (see Auto Physical Damage coverage), it will not cover bodily injury done to the driver that caused the damage (see Medical Payments coverage), it will not cover an incident that occurs while operating the vehicle for personal use (see Non-Trucking Liability coverage), and it will not cover damage done to any cargo being hauled by the vehicle’s operator (see Motor Truck Cargo coverage).
What Limits You Typically Need For Commercial Auto Liability
Typically, motor carriers will acquire primary liability with a limit of $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL). However, depending on your authority type, vehicle weight, state, etc. that limit can sometimes be lower. Some motor carriers are required to carry $1,000,000 in coverage, while others are only required to carry $750,000 in coverage. Make sure to see your state’s requirements as well to know the minimum limit of liability you are required to carry. Its important to note that depending on your vehicle weight and use your local dmv might have certain requirements on the type of insurance limit you will need. Most of these rules are implemented after your vehicle weight more than 26,000 lbs.
How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost.
The cost of commercial auto insurance can range anywhere from $1,250 annually to $16,500. It all depends on the type of equipment your company will need covered and how you use the vehicles. For example a semi truck that is hauling a backhoe to the new construction yard so you can use for your construction business would cost much less than a semi truck that hauls for a fee to delivery construction equipment. The difference in pricing along could be $7,000 annually. Its important you specify how you will be using the vehicle to make sure you are matched with the best coverage for the best price.
What Factors Effect Pricing?
Pricing can vary depending on a number of factors. Some of these factors include:
How long you’ve been in business
How long you’ve had prior insurance (without a lapse or gap in coverage)